Thomas  j



(No Model.)

'I'. J. MORRIS.

I GATB.

yl-Patented Nov. 6, 1888..

UNITED STATES PATENT l EETJCE.

THOMAS J. MORRIS, OF ST. JOSEPH, MISSOURI.

GATE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 392,281, dated November 6, 1888.

Application filed June/29, 1888. Serial No. 278,534. (No model.)

.To all whom it may concern: Y

Be it known that I, THOMAS J. Mouais, a citizen of the United States, residing at St. Joseph, in the county of Buchanan and State of Missouri, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Gates, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates 'to improvements in gates; and it consists in certain novel features hereinafter described and claimed.

In the annexed drawings, which fully illustrate my invention, Figure 1 is a side view of my improved gate, showing it in its normal position. Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the gate raised. Fig. 3 is a detail perspective View of the latch. Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the gate. of the rack-bar and lever.

Referring to the drawings, particularly by letter, A designates the hingepost, and B the latch-post set in the ground in the usual or any preferred manner and at the proper distance apart.

The gate C is composed of the rails D and the usual end and central vertical double bars, E E, which are pivoted to the rails at their several points of intersection by means of the pivotal bolts F, as shown. Between the central and end vertical bars I arrange the single vertical braces G G, which are pivoted to the rails by means of the pivoted bolts H. The braces near the opposite ends of the gate are arranged on the opposite sides of the same, so as to secure an equitable distribution of the weight of the gate. These braces give great strength to the gate, and will be found to be very advantageous on farm-gates, as they enable the gate to withstand all shocks caused by the live stock running against them, and also prevent breaking of the gate, usually caused by the animals falling upon the gate in an unsuccessful attempt to jump over it. The breaking of the gate from the cause just mentioned has heretofore been a source of much vexatious trouble and loss to farmers, and by my device it is entirely overcome.

The inner or rear edge of the vertical bar at the free end of the gate, or that end opposite the hinges, is provided with a series of notches, I, having downwardlyinclined bases or lower sides, J, and provided with recesses K in said inclined sides or bases.

Fig. 5 is a detail enlarged view L designates a pawl or lever, which is pivyoted atan intermediate point of its length to one of the rails of the gate and has its upper end normally engaging one of the notches L, the upper end being provided on its under side or edge with a spur orlug, M, which engages the recess K. The lower` portion of the pawl below the pivot is somewhat tapered, as shown, to form a handle, by means of which the lug M is disengaged from the recesses K after the gate is elevated beyond ordinary reach, as would frequently occur in passing the gate over deep snow-drifts. The pawl plays in and is held to the gate by a suitable guard, P, secured to the side ofthe gate in any convenient manner.

In the inner side of the latch-post I form a recess, Q, having a horizontal shoulder, R, at

its lower end, which forms a rest or support for the latch S when the same is in engagement with the gate. This latch S is composed of a single Ushaped metallic rod held in the angle' of the recess Q at the rear edge of the shoulder R by means of the staples T T and free to swing iu a vertical plane. The rear wall of the recess Q, is substantially V-shapcd, as shown, thereby providing an inclined rest or support, WV, for the latch when it is out of engagement with the gate.

In operation the gate is swung to and fro to open and close it in the usual manner. When the gate is closed, the latch is swung down to fasten the same, the parallel arms of the latch passing on opposite sides of the gate, and thereby preventing the gate from swinging in either direction. Vhen the gate is closed and it is desired to adjust it so that small animals may pass, but larger ones be prevented from passing., the pawl is disengaged from the notches and the free end of the gate raised, as shown in Fig. 2, to the desired height. The pawl is then again allowed to engage one of the notches, and the gate will be held at the height to which it is adj usted.V This enables me to readily clear snow-drifts and other ob structions, and also to adjust it so as to prevent and compensate for sagging, as will be readily understood. The gate can be adjusted as desired without any moving of the latch, as it will move vertically between the arms of the same, and consequently no adjustment of the latch is rendered necessary by adjust-ing IOC Y the gate.

The recesses in the bases of the notches and the spur on the pawl engaging the same effectnally prevent any accidental displacement of the pawl, so that the gate will be firmly maintained in its adjusted position.

My gate is cheap, simple, and efficient, and it is thought unnecessary to enlarge further npon its advantages.

Having described my invention, I claiin- Il. lThe combination of the rails, the end bar having notches in its rear edge and provided with recesses in the bases of said notches, and the pawl pivoted to the gate and having its upper end engaging one ol said notches, and provided with a spur engaging the recess in the base ofsaid notch, as set forth.

2. The combination of the gate having an end bar provided with notches in its rear edge, said notches having recesses in their bases, the paWl pivoted to the gate and having its lower end forming a handle and'its upper end engaging one of the notches in the end bar, and provided with a spur engaging the recess therein, and a guard secured to the gate and extending across the pawl, as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto al'llxed niysignatnrein presence of two witnesses.

THOMAS J. MORRIS.

\Vitnesscs:

J. Ilf. Sroonns, l0. (l. Siemens. 

